Ankara has requested Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli official over an investigation linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla.
WEB DESK: Türkiye has requested the issuance of Interpol Red Notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli official Afek Moskovitch in connection with a criminal case concerning the interception of activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said Friday.
Gürlek said the request was made as judicial proceedings continue before Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court in a case involving 35 defendants.
Arrest warrants issued in July
According to the Turkish justice minister, arrest warrants were issued for Netanyahu and Moskovitch on July 14, 2026, in connection with allegations including genocide.
Following those warrants, Türkiye’s Justice Ministry asked the Interior Ministry to initiate the process for seeking Interpol Red Notices, while relevant documents were also forwarded to the Foreign Ministry.
The case relates to the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Türkiye has previously condemned Israel’s intervention against the flotilla in international waters and called for the release and safe return of participants.
What is an Interpol Red Notice?
An Interpol Red Notice is an international alert requesting that law-enforcement agencies locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition, surrender or similar legal proceedings.
Importantly, a Red Notice is not itself an international arrest warrant. Interpol says each member country determines what legal effect it gives to a Red Notice under its own national law.
The notices are issued through Interpol’s established procedures and must comply with the organisation’s constitution and rules.
Case adds to Turkey-Israel tensions
The development is likely to further intensify already strained relations between Türkiye and Israel over the Gaza war.
Ankara has been among the strongest international critics of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has repeatedly called for humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinians.
The flotilla case adds another legal dimension to the dispute, with Turkish prosecutors continuing proceedings against dozens of defendants.
For Netanyahu, the Turkish action comes amid separate international legal pressure related to the Gaza conflict. The latest Turkish request, however, is specifically linked to the investigation surrounding the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Whether Interpol ultimately publishes any Red Notice will depend on its review of the request under its rules. A request by a member country does not automatically mean that a Red Notice has been issued.
